ALMOST one out of every five Filipinos suffers from a mental disorder in their lifetime. Almost 28 percent had a lifetime mental disorder at some point in their life. Among people who had a lifetime mental disorder, 20 percent had a 12-month mental disorder and had symptoms. Fifteen percent had developed a mental health problem during their lifetime, with anxiety disorders (panic attacks) at 6 percent and alcohol use at 5 percent being the most prevalent, followed by major depressive disorder (2 percent) and dementia (2 percent).
About 15 percent of the respondents reported lifetime presence of any mental disorder, with nearly 11 percent experiencing a mental disorder in the past 12 months.
Eight percent adults reported suicidal ideation in the 12 months (and they had serious thoughts about committing suicide). From this group, 41 percent had a suicide plan and 21 percent had a suicide attempt. Suicidal ideations (SI), often called suicidal thoughts or ideas, is a broad term used to describe a range of contemplations, wishes and preoccupations with death and suicide. In children and adolescents, the most common disorders are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, MDD, and social anxiety disorders.
In Luzon, there is a high prevalence (7.95 percent) of suicide among the youth. Region 8 had the highest prevalence (then NCR and Region 4B). Of those who have thoughts of killing themselves, the suicide plan was highest in Caraga (then Region 7 and Region 12) and suicide attempts were highest in Region1 (then Region 9, Region 12 and BARMM).
This sad news were the findings of the 2021 National Survey for Mental Health and Well-being (NSMHW) for the adult population of 18 > years and the Child and Adolescent National Survey for Mental Health (CANSMH). Both were part of the 2021 Philippine NSMHW which was carried out as the first ever baseline, epidemiological survey on mental health designed to provide lifetime prevalence estimates for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for the Filipino adult population. This unique large-scale population survey scientifically sampled 9,857 adult Filipinos and 4,275 children.
The Philippine NSMHW was carried out in the hope of addressing the problem of the need for epidemiological data on the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders. Special mention to experts-scientists Drs. Ma. Lourdes Rosanna de Guzman, Tomas Bautista, Cynthia Ramos-Leynes, Marissa Pascual, Evelyn Gapuz, Erniel Barrios, John Eustaquio, and Marilyn Crisostomo of the Project Lingap Sa Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino.
Earlier in 2017, Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimated a population prevalence of 0.2 percent for schizophrenia, 0.5 percent for bipolar disorder, 1.1 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD), 0.4 percent for epilepsy, 0.9 percent for alcohol use disorders, and 0.7 percent for drug use disorders.
Globally, the use of mental health services was almost 40 percent higher than the pre-pandemic with spending increasing by 54 percent (RAND Corp).
Debilitating epidemic
Mental health is the state of well-being which influences the individual’s ability to realize one’s own abilities and potentials, cope adequately with the normal stresses of life, display resilience in the face of extreme life events, work productively and fruitfully, and make a positive contribution to the community. The indicator of mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but involves more complex and multilayered dimensions.
Mental illness is a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with a person’s cognitive, emotional, occupational and social abilities. It is important to recognize that mental illness is not only a growing public health concern but also a major psychosocial and economic issue affecting individuals, families and communities throughout the world.
The sadder news
The World Health Organization Special Initiative for Mental Health (2020) reports that there are only an estimated 548 psychiatrists practicing in the country (0.5 per 100,000 population), 516 psychiatric nurses (0.5 per 100,000), and 133 psychologists (0.1 per 100,000) working in institutions in the country.
The WHO reports that most mental health services are offered by private providers, as the public sector has yet limited specialist mental health facilities. There are only 4 mental hospitals, 46 psychiatric in-patient units, and 29 outpatient mental health facilities for the whole country. In addition, there are people with mental health conditions in institutions run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The saddest news
WHO notes that mental health represents an estimated 2.65 percent of the health budget with most of the funds going to mental hospitals and there is no specific mental health line in the health budget. There is a gap in the availability of mental health specialists in provinces to offer mental health at secondary care hospitals and to supervise and support the integration of mental health in primary care and to oversee the provision of psychosocial support at the local level, in a devolved health care delivery system.
In the CANSMH, 41 percent claim that they do not have money to pay and could not afford it and would prefer to handle the problems on their own or with the family (21 percent), while 18 percent are not sure where to get help, and they are not sure if the child and/or adolescent needs help (14 percent). Twelve percent are also concerned about what other people might think, while others think that services are not available (10 percent).
The ray of hope
The Mental Health Act (RA 11036) of 2018 mandates that mental health is a basic fundamental right of all Filipinos. Mental health services shall be free from coercion; and persons affected by mental health conditions shall be able to exercise the full range of human rights, and participate fully in society and at work, free from stigmatization and discrimination. The law created the Philippine Mental Health Council (PMHC) as the policymaking body to develop a national multisectoral strategic plan for mental health and to ensure its implementation through monitoring and evaluation of polices. The PMHC represents the commitment of all government agencies coming together for the continual improvement of the mental health of the nation.
Moreover, the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 (RA 11223) or the UHC Law mandates that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risks through a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, whole-of-society, people-centered approach.
The real hope
The Philippines has a strong non-health sector supportive of mental health and psychosocial activities with many initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and raising public awareness. Social media is contributory to many messages of education and support. Digitalization of professional services is also promising.
But the two strongest pillars of support for people with mental illness are the close family ties of Filipinos and the sense of community. However, they need to be educated more to completely understand mental health and mental illness. Articles state that cultural factors like shame, stigma and biased beliefs discourage Filipinos from consulting professionals, and prefer to seek help from folk healers and lay networks in treating mental illnesses.
We all have the responsibility to promote and protect mental health and well-being of the population; prevent illness; reduce the impact of mental health illness; improve the quality of life of those suffering and recovering; and assure the rights of people with mental health problems and mental illness, and enable them to participate and contribute to society in a meaningful way.
After all, given the statistics, the person you may need to help is the loved one of or the one reading this article.
Title: A silent epidemic called mental disorder
Source: The Manila Times
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/01/opinion/columns/a-silent-epidemic-called-mental-disorder/1907969?fbclid=IwAR1XThREuG5PJA-9lGVzCx1jYycgVXGg-ijxtJbmxRPjAXLbs95u6iSmMGw_aem_AeDqy-E5CPkoB06PkWBCd_PEe_bt-V5pPwndaU7BVhzDp4GzesD8Cw85VReV8RO2FvE